The number of glaciers on Earth is steadily declining, which has increased travelers’ desire to witness these vanishing ice rivers.
The mesmerizing transformation of natural color patches at Perito Moreno Glacier (located in Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia, Argentina). (Photo: @ilmondolowcost).
By 2100, half of the world’s glaciers may disappear due to environmental pollution, climate change, and global warming. This is also the reason why trips to view the “last glimpses of glaciers” have become popular, according to CNN.
Jackie Dawson, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa (Canada), stated that this trend is known as “last chance tourism” and represents a growing market.
Previously, travelers preferred to be the first to do something, such as climbing a mountain or taking a maiden cruise. Now, witnessing the last remnants of things leaves a greater impression.
Tourists visiting Perito Moreno – the oldest and largest glacier in South America. (Photo: Thien Ngoc Nguyen).
However, the experience of watching melting glaciers carries deadly dangers.
In 2019, the bodies of three tourists (two Germans and one Austrian) were found near a boat at Valdez Glacier in Alaska, causing public concern and fear within the travel community.
Zach Sheldon, a tour guide and the one who discovered the incident, believes the three tourists may have been drawn to the glacier’s enchanting blue color without realizing that the striking hue was a warning sign of imminent ice collapse.
In August, an American tourist died when an ice cave suddenly collapsed at Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier in Iceland. The incident sent shockwaves through this tourism-dependent country. Companies halted summer glacier tours, and authorities are considering new safety regulations.
Additionally, in July 2022, approximately 64,000 tons of water, rock, and ice broke off from Marmolada Glacier in Northern Italy. The subsequent avalanche killed 11 people walking on a popular trail.
A British couple shared images showing the astonishing changes in the Rhône Glacier in Switzerland. The first photo was taken in August 2009, the second in early August this year. (Photo: Duncan Porter).
Representing the Icelandic Mountain Guides Association, mountaineer Garðar Hrafn Sigurjonsson stated that glaciers are becoming increasingly unstable, with large icebergs cracking and numerous rocks and debris falling off.
“It is a complex place to visit,” he told CNN.
According to Sigurjonsson, most tour guides prioritize safety, but sometimes unexpected situations arise that put everyone in danger.
For those traversing glaciers, adapting to rapidly changing landscapes is a constant battle. Matthias Huss, a glaciologist at ETH Zurich (Switzerland), noted that decades ago, summer skiing on glaciers was very popular. However, today, almost all glacier ski resorts close during the summer.
Despite the shrinking landscapes caused by melting ice or the warnings of deadly dangers, the number of tourists at glaciers is rapidly increasing. The demand for tours to observe the “last glimpses of glaciers” is rising by approximately 20% to 30% each year.
Stefan Gössling, a professor of tourism studies at Linnaeus University in Sweden, stated that the potential dangers have not deterred people from seeking alternative destinations.
“The risks have certainly increased, but people seem to overlook that,” Gössling remarked.
The enchanting blue of the glacier captivates many tourists, but it is also a sign that the ice is melting. (Photo: @ilmondolowcost).
Not only do glaciers pose safety issues for tourists, but tourists themselves also represent a significant threat to these glaciers.
Air travel, a common means of reaching icy destinations, is a massive source of pollution contributing to global warming. According to one study, each ton of carbon emissions melts approximately 30 square feet of Arctic ice. For instance, a round trip flight between New York and Anchorage, Alaska, could result in the loss of about 70 square feet of Arctic ice.
In reality, glacier viewing tours cannot be a sustainable market because as glaciers move, these tours must also adapt.
“I believe we only have 6-10 years left for ice tourism because glaciers are melting in many different ways,” Sheldon shared.
